Conjunctivitis: Diagnosis and Management

Mark Wood, FRCS

Additional article information
Introduction
A healthy conjunctiva is necessary for the maintenance of a healthy cornea and thus the visual acuity
of the eye. The conjunctiva contributes to the tear film which has three layers:
(Inner) mucous adherence to the cornea (from the conjunctiva)
(Middle) aqueous wetting agent (from the lacrimal glands)
(Outer) oil prevention of evaporation (Meibomian and Zeis glands)
Infections of the conjunctiva can spread to the cornea and can cause a perforation, e.g., gonococcal
infection. Allergic conjunctivitis or limbal catarrh can spread over the cornea. Cobblestones form
under the lid on the tarsal conjunctiva, and can cause corneal ulcers. Chemical injury to the limbal
area can destroy the stem cells that are responsible for the re-epithelialization of the cornea. Dryness
will damage the surface of the cornea.
Diagnosis and Management
Conjunctivitis may be
infectivebacterial, viral or chlamydial
allergic
Other rarer causes such as molluscum contagiosum, Parinaud's oculoglandular conjunctivitis or
phlyctenular conjunctivitis will not be discussed in this paper.
Bacterial Conjunctivitis
Symptoms and signs: red eyes, discharge of pus, pain.
It is usually bilateral. It may start in one eye and later spread to the other.
The common organisms are the Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Group A
Streptococcus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Other organisms are Haemophilus influenzae,
Pseudomonas and Escherichia coli.
1
Moraxella lacunata causes an angular conjunctivitis with a
whitish discharge at the outer canthus. The spectrum of organisms causing conjunctivitis varies
around the world.
Bacterial infection of the conjunctival sac can be secondary to discharge resulting from a foreign
body, dry eye, trichiasis, or lacrimal mucocele. It is necessary to examine the lid margins, evert the
upper lid, and look for discharge from the lacrimal puncta.
To make a specific diagnosis of the organism involved, a culture should be taken. In most instances
the disease will respond if the secondary causes are treated and a broad-spectrum antibiotic is used.
Eye drops are more practical than ointments as vision is not blurred with drops. They can be easily
and frequently applied. However, most primary clinics will have tetracycline eye ointment as their
ophthalmic antibiotic, so this should be used. Chloramphenicol and gentamicin are both broad
spectrum antibiotics and often available. Initially the drops should be instilled every 10 minutes until
the infection is under control. The eye should not be padded. Frequent eyelid cleaning is necessary.
Viral Conjunctivitis
Symptoms and signs: watery discharge, red eye, itch.
Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, often due to type 8 adenovirus, may have a follicular reaction of the
tarsal conjunctiva. The pre-auricular lymph nodes may be enlarged.
Epidemic (acute) haemorrhagic conjunctivitis was first reported in West Africa in the 1960s and is
usually caused by enterovirus 70. Small subconjunctival haemorrhages are characteristic of this
highly infective eye inflammation which often lasts for a only few days.
Viral conjunctivitis is a self-limiting disease and does not require antibiotic treatment unless a
secondary bacterial infection occurs. Cold compresses will help the discomfort, but usually the
patient will have to let the disease run its course. Antivirals, e.g., acyclovir, are not indicated.
Allergic (Vernal) Conjunctivitis
Symptoms and signs: red eye, excessive lacrimation, itch.
Allergic conjunctivitis is a significant and frustrating part of the work in an eye clinic. Geographical,
genetic and environmental factors are influential in this disease.

Acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis
Photo: Gawn Mcllwaine
There is pigmentation of the conjunctiva, cobblestones of the tarsal conjunctiva and infiltrates at the
limbus (corneo-scleral margin). The whole cornea can be covered with infiltrates. Mucus builds up in
the tear film. The patient may have other allergies such as rhinitis. Keratoconus is another
complication associated with vernal conjunctivitis.
Most cases are mild, the patient needs reassurance but no medication. A few patients will develop
serious problems that will need attention, possibly for years. The clinician will have to be supportive
to the patient until the disease runs its course. It can cause a child to miss long periods at school but
tends to burn out in early adult life.
There is no ideal treatment and some drugs used are harmful. Cold compresses can help with mild
symptoms. Astringent drops, e.g., zinc sulphate, will not cure the problem but may relieve symptoms.
Topical steroids such as prednisolone eye drops are frequently used and although complications are
uncommon it is vital to be aware of them. For example, corneal ulcers can be made worse,
particularly herpes simplex (dendritic ulcers). Vernal catarrah causes corneal shield ulcers, which
can become secondarily infected and made worse by steroids. Cataract and raised intraocular pressure
leading to glaucoma are also complications of long term steroids. However, in severe cases of vernal
conjunctivitis systemic steroids may be needed.
Other drops deal with the allergic response at different parts of the immune cascade. Antihistamines
are only partially effective. Mast cell stabilisers
2
such as cromolyn sodium 4% and more recently
lodoxamide 0.1% are effective if used continuously for many months. These drugs are safe but
expensive. Cromolyn powder is available for local production of eye drops. Sodium cromoglycate 2%
(Opticrom) may also be available.
Surgical intervention by cryotherapy and scraping of cobblestones is not effective. Mucous
membrane graft to the upper lid tarsal conjunctiva can be useful.
Conjunctivitis: Bacterial, Viral and Allergic
Type Symptoms and Signs Management Prevention
Bacterial
Conjunctivitis
Red eye
Discharge of pus
Pain/Photophobia (especially
if secondary corneal
involvement)
Chloramphenicol 0.5% eye
drops
Gentamicin 0.3% eye drops
Tetracycline 1% eye ointment
Intensive instillation for first
day or until symptoms and
signs reduce
Personal hygiene: hand
washing
Correct cleaning and
disinfection of instruments
between examinations
Contact lens hygiene
Viral
Conjunctivitis
Red eye
Watery discharge
Itch/Irritation
Subconjunctival
haemorrhages
Cold compresses to relieve
discomfort
Personal hygiene: hand
washing
Correct cleaning and
disinfection of instruments
between examinations
Allergic
Conjunctivitis
Red eye
Lacrimation +++
Itch/Irritation
Trantas spots
Cobblestones
Mucus build up
Reassurance
Antihistamines (eye drops or
orally)
Steroid eye drops
Cromolyn sodium 4% eye
drops
Lodoxamide 0.1% eye drops
Avoid allergens
Prevention of Conjunctivitis
Prevention of infective conjunctivitis relies primarily on good personal hygiene.
Bacterial conjunctivitis is uncommon but can be spread by the hands or from upper respiratory tract
infections.
Gonnoccal infection is transmitted from the genital tract or urine to the eye by hands. This is a
serious breach of normal hygiene.
Ophthalmia neonatorum can be prevented by the use of povidone iodine drops, tetracycline eye
ointment or other antiseptics or antibiotics at birth.
Viral conjunctivitis, in particular adenovirus, can sweep through a community or an institution such as
a school very quickly. This is highly infectious and needs to be controlled by the enforcement of strict
hygiene standards towels, face cloths, hands and applanation tonometers are some examples of
how this can easily be transmitted.
Prevention of allergic conjunctivitis is not possible unless the patient is able to change his or her
environment or job or identify the allergen causing the allergy and remove it, e.g., pollen, animal fur.
Drugs can cause an allergy that is reversed by stopping the drug. Atropine, neomycin and eye drop
preservatives are particularly common causes of such drug reactions.
Summary
Diseases of the conjunctiva are diverse and need proper diagnosis, treatment and appropriate
preventive measures.
References
1. Sandford Smith J. Eye Diseases in Hot Climates. 1990. Second Edition, Butterworths.
2. Caldwell DR, Verin Hartwick-Young R, Meyer SM, Drake MW. Efficacy and safety of Lodoxamide 0.1% vs.
Cromolyn Sodium 4% in patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis. Amer J Ophthalmol. 1992;113:63237.
[PubMed]
Copyright 2009 Journal of Community Eye Health International Centre for Eye